Tuesday May 28, 2002
For immediate release

Afternoon commuters were treated yesterday to live entertainment at some of Ottawa’s busiest Transitway stations. Latin Breeze played for people at Baseline station and the Philippine Dance Troupe performed at Place d’Orléans. The showcase of local talent continues until Friday. It’s all part of Cultures in Transit, an initiative of Leadership Ottawa, the City of Ottawa and 
OC Transpo.   

“OC Transpo is pleased to celebrate our diversity,” said Gordon Diamond, Director of Transit Services. “We have a diverse, multicultural workforce and a diverse ridership, and Cultures in Transit week will help to reinforce that.”

By 2020, Ottawa’s population is expected to increase by 400,000 residents. Most of this growth will be attributed to new immigrants. The City of Ottawa is a multilingual and multicultural society that is diverse and always changing – a community where different cultures interact with one another each day.

“We’re hoping this pilot project will strengthen the relationships that exist among many of Ottawa’s different cultures,” said Donna Silver, a Leadership Ottawa participant and organizer of Cultures in Transit. “The whole idea is to continue to make Ottawa a desirable community in which to live, for people from every cultural background.”

Leadership Ottawa is a program sponsored by Volunteer Ottawa. The objective of the program is to develop informed, skilled and inspired leaders in the voluntary, public and corporate sectors – to recognize the importance of collaboration and to sow the leadership seeds for tomorrow. Participants take part in retreats and Leadership Days and they also develop a community project.

“Transitway stations are the ideal location to showcase the city’s rich diversity,” said Alasdair Stuart-Bell, another Leadership Ottawa participant. “Cultures in Transit will reach up to 50,000 commuters will be in a single day.” 

Performance are happening at Baseline, Billings Bridge, Mackenzie King, St. Laurent and Place d’Orléans stations between 4 and 6 p.m. daily.